NaturalMotion’s football game Backbreaker has scored a publishing partner in 505 Games, the companies announced today. NaturalMotion is probably best known to gamers as the developers behind the euphoria engine, used to provide dynamic animations in games such as Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto IV and LucasArts’ Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Backbreaker uses that technology to display on-the-fly animations for tackles and other high-impact moments.
"Backbreaker is about being on the field and in the action," said Torsten Reil, CEO of NaturalMotion. "Through the use of euphoria, we are able to create an experience that is truly interactive and different every time. We're thrilled to be partnering with 505 Games and can't wait for gamers to experience this new type of sports title."
The game is set for a spring 2010 release, which is unusually early for a football game. The industry titan Madden NFL series typically ships in August. Publisher 505 Games is betting that players are clamoring for a new football game that time of year, a move that could pay off if the audience is there. One big obstacle is its lack of an NFL license. The game does allow players to customize logos and teams, however, so enterprising players might find ways around that limitation.
At any rate, 505 Games is clearly excited about the prospect. "Backbreaker sets the new standard for football," said Adam Kline, president of 505 Games U.S. "Repetitive, canned animations are a thing of the past. We recognize that fans are eager for something new, and Backbreaker will blow them away."
First...I have never even heard of this game.
Second... I don't like football so this won't be on my radar.
I remember seeing euphoria in action on an old episode of Qore. I remember thinking how great Madden would be if EA would get together with these guys at NaturalMotion. Check out some of the videos at www.naturalmotion.com/euphoria.htm.
I went to go see the video danafla posted in the link and i got to say backbreaker looks pretty interesting. The physics to the game look pretty impresive.
Amazing, because the technology worked so amazingly well with the force unleashed!
maybe,just maybe this will give madden some much needed competetion for them to step up their game even more, but prob not. Remember the last one that tried? Total flop, we shall see.
fail. Im going to go with madden 11
This is actually a game I've been looking forward too before it was even announced, so there's a good chance that I'll pick this game up. It does get pretty boring seeing the same 10 hit animations every game over and over.
I liked using the the demo of the engine on my PC making scenes and scenarios so this should be alot more fun, and so far Madden had pretty much had a cakewalk when it came to football, so this should make them finally spit up some of those features I've suspected they've been hiding up their sleeves on the occasion a game actually meddled with their sales.
A new football game. We'll see if it does well.
Tenth...This might be the first sports game I've bought in a while if this comes to Wii. Still too early to tell, though.
This is the first time I'm hearing about this title...lol
Sports games and the Euphoria engine are a natural pair.
i wondered what happen to this game. i heard about this being developed like 2 years ago and never heard anything since. when will ea lose the nfl license rights? other developers seem to have great ideas for the pro football experience! bring back nfl 2k!!!!!
i'm not feeling that spring release date & football is a touchy subject . Unlike NBA Live over the years MADDEN just gets better & it will feel strange playing anything else when it comes to football. anything other then madden seems phony
Sounds great! Love natural motion. Love football. Hate Madden NFL. This game will rock!